Ball bouncer toy



May 9, 1961 J. GlANNOTTl 2,983,070

BALL BOUNCER TOY Filed Aug. 10, 1959 INVENTOR. J05 EPH G IANN O'I'Tl ATTORNEY United States Patent BA'LL BOUNCER TOY Joseph 'Giannotti, 40-09 25th Ave., Astoria, N.Y.

Filed Aug. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 832,668

3 Claims. (Cl. 46-1) This invention relates to amusement devices and, more particularly, to a manually operated amusement device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a manually operated bouncing toy which will enable any one to continuously bounce a ball within a limited space in a safe, amusing, and skillful manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a ball bouncing device which will confine the ball to the interior of the housing that is equipped with a manually operated bouncing plunger so as to enable the ball to be bounced without losing control thereof.

Still an additional object of the present invention is to provide a bouncing toy of the type described which may be used to improve bouncing skill, for educational purposes, and for competitive sport, which can be manufactured in large quantities at a relatively low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bouncing toy made in accordance with one form of the present invention in actual use;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the unit shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of certain parts of the assembly shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing other parts of the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a transverse cross sectional view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Figures 1 to 4 thereof, a bouncing type toy made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a main housing 12 in the form of a vertical hollow cylinder having a ground engaging support 14 at one lower end and a handle 16 at the opposite upper end. On diametrically opposite sides of the housing 12, and throughout the entire length thereof, are a pair of slots 13. Both ends of the housing are closed, the upper end of which is provided with a central aperture 18 through which a plunger 20 is slidably received. The innermost end of the plunger 20 is provided with a striker plate 22, while the opposite upper end of the plunger is provided with a similar plate 24, a compression spring 26 encircling the plunger 20 and acting between the upper plate 24 and the Patented May 9, 1961 ice 2. upper end of the cylinder 12, thus yieldably retaining the plunger and striker plates in the outwardly extended position. A resilient ball 28 is supported within the main housing 12 for bouncing movement up and down in response to actuation of the plunger 20.

As is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawing, a ball holder wedge 30 extending radially inwardly from the side of the main housing 12 defines a wedge surface for supporting the ball 28 in an initial position. Thus, in order to use the apparatus, the ball 28 is first engaged with the ball holder wedge 30 of the compartment 32 before the device is placed upon the ground and supported by placing the foot upon the ground engaging plate 14. Thus, by depressing the plunger 20, the ball may be permitted to bounce and is continued in bouncing movement by actuation of the striker plate 24. The skill of bouncing the ball may be improved in time and various competitive and education feats may be performed during use of the toy.

While this invention has been described with particular reference to the construction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such is not to be construed as imparting limitations upon the invention, which is best defined by the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. An amusement device comprising, in combination, a main housing, a ground engaging support at one lower end of said main housing, a handle at the opposite upper end of said main housing, a ball supported within said main housing, detent means releasably supporting said ball adjacent to said upper end of said main housing, manually operated reciprocating means carried by said upper end of said main housing for bouncing said ball within the interior of said main housing, said housing comprising a substantially hollow cylinder, said ground engaging support of said one lower end of said main housing comprising a radially outwardly extending flange, said handle comprising a radially outwardly extending flange at said opposite upper end of said main housing, said manually operated means comprising a plunger slidably supported within said upper end of said main housing having striker plates at the opposite ends thereof, and spring means acting between the outermost one of said striker plates and said main housing yieldably urging said plunger toward an outwardly extended position.

2. An amusement device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said detent means comprises a radially inwardly extending wedge projecting into the interior of said main housing adjacent to the upper end thereof releasably engaging the ball to support the ball in an elevated position until the ball is set into motion.

3. An amusement device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said wedge is of substantially triangular configuration.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,836,167 Saito May 27, 1958 

